Tragic Youth Race Car Crash Raises Child Safety and Injury Prevention Concerns

Tyler Morr died this past Wednesday afternoon, May 23, 2012, at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida after sustaining grievous injuries following a youth race car crash on the preceding Saturday. The auto accident took place at Auburndale Speedway in Winter Haven, Florida and has garnered local attention because of the surprising circumstances surrounding the accident. Tyler was only 12 years old and a racing competitor within the cockpit of a high performance race car at the time of his fatal crash.

The Auburndale Speedway hosts an eight-lap race titled “the Kids Club” where drivers ranging from ages 10 to 16 are allowed to take the wheel of actual stock race cars, capable of speeds up to 45 miles per hour, and compete against other youth racers. Tyler was a part of this specific race and, according to witnesses, his car spun out of control after making contact with another competitor’s vehicle, causing Tyler’s car to spin clockwise into the concrete barrier bordering the racetrack. According to investigators, the race cars in question at Auburndale Speedway met all proper safety requirements and Tyler was using a seat belt and safety harness. It is unknown if he was wearing a crash helmet or if his racing car was equipped with airbags.

Tyler’s death raises several disturbing questions. Could more safety measures have been in place to prevent this tragedy? Should a twelve-year-old child be permitted to race competitively on an open track in the name of sport, and if so, why were these drivers capable of racing at speeds up to 45 mph? Were Tyler’s parents fully informed of the risks involved and if so, did the sponsors of the event require them to sign an advance waiver of liability? Obviously, at least for now, the answers may be sparse and we may never have all the information to know how this tragic incident was allowed to unfold. All that is truly certain is that the Morr family mourns for their son, and they deserve to know if Auburndale Speedway and the sponsors of this race could have done more to prevent Tyler’s death.

The legal lines are blurry at best in the case of Tyler Morr. Needless to say, the standards for ensuring safety of the competitors are not always clear when it comes to a stock car race involving children. Without question, many experts in the racing industry will have different views on whether more could and should have been done to protect Tyler and the other drivers. As it is with most auto accidents and injuries, our legal system has very clearly defined standards and our team of experienced attorneys has the knowledge and skill to use these standards to benefit our clients. The personal injury attorneys at PERENICH The Law Firm in Clearwater, serving the greater Tampa Bay, Florida area, are committed to being strong advocates for child safety and protection, no matter what the circumstances may be.